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Reality TV Star Paige DeSorbo’s Unexpected Path to Fame
Upon graduating college in 2015, Paige DeSorbo, now a well-known reality television personality, commenced her professional journey at a television station in her hometown of Albany, New York. Securing a full-time position, the role initially appeared ideal, aligning with her long-held aspirations of becoming an on-air broadcast journalist. Her mother envisioned a traditional path: Ms. DeSorbo progressing to news anchor, marrying, starting a family, and settling nearby.
However, Ms. DeSorbo harbored different ambitions.
“I vividly recall experiencing a profound sense of unease, realizing – this isn’t the life I envision. Absolutely not,” Ms. DeSorbo, now 32, recounted in a recent interview.
Choosing a different trajectory, she convinced her parents to subsidize six months of rent in New York City, affording her the opportunity to pursue alternative prospects. She initially accepted a position as an executive assistant at ABC before transitioning into reality TV with a role on “Summer House,” a Bravo program chronicling young New Yorkers indulging in exuberant summer weekends at a shared residence in the Hamptons.
“I remember telephoning my father in tears when the offer materialized, expressing concerns about being too sensitive for the environment,” Ms. DeSorbo disclosed. “He advised me to commit for the initial summer, with the option to withdraw if I disliked it, ensuring no regrets. Remarkably, after just the second weekend, I realized, ‘I genuinely enjoy this.’”
Emergence as a Reality Television Personality
This marked the genesis of Ms. DeSorbo’s unforeseen career as a reality star.
To date, she has been featured in three Bravo series – “Summer House,” “Winter House,” and “Southern Charm” – despite possessing characteristics seemingly contrary to the contemporary reality TV archetype. She embodies a New Yorker’s candidness: directness, assertiveness, and an openness to express her opinions, even at personal risk of negative perception. Her lack of affectation and ostentation has resonated with viewers, cultivating a dedicated fanbase.
Ms. DeSorbo more closely resembles the reality TV stars of earlier eras — reminiscent of the initial seasons of “The Real World” rather than more recent iterations like “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” She delivers memorable, quotable lines not solely for dramatic effect, but as authentic expressions of her personality. While occasional missteps occur, such as a 2021 podcast remark concerning Regé-Jean Page’s skin tone, for which she issued an apology, and moments of heightened drama exist, her on-screen persona is genuinely representative of her off-screen self.
Seven seasons into her tenure on “Summer House,” Ms. DeSorbo has cultivated a multifaceted persona as a quintessential millennial multi-hyphenate: reality TV star, style influencer, author, and co-host of the popular comedy podcast, “Giggly Squad,” alongside her close friend and former “Summer House” cast member, Hannah Berner. Ms. DeSorbo recently unveiled her own shoe collaboration with DSW and, alongside Ms. Berner, presented the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party livestream. In March, the pair concluded a multi-city podcast tour, filling prominent venues such as Radio City Music Hall.
Venturing into Authorship with Satirical Self-Help Book
Presently, they are releasing a satirical self-help book, titled “How to Giggle: A Guide to Taking Life Less Seriously,” scheduled for release on April 15th.
Ms. DeSorbo noted that their publisher, Simon and Schuster, insisted that, in contrast to other reality TV personalities-turned-authors, they eschew ghostwriters, ensuring the book authentically reflected their distinct voices.
“I expressed eagerness to inform all my English instructors from third through twelfth grade that their assessments were inaccurate, and I do, in fact, understand punctuation,” Ms. DeSorbo joked.
Reflecting the book’s lighthearted approach, it is not intended to be interpreted seriously. “It is designed for casual readership,” she explained. “I envisioned women on vacation, picking up this book, placing it in their luggage – perhaps glancing at it during their trip, or perhaps not even opening it.”
Although the book addresses themes of love and relationships, it was composed prior to the dissolution of Ms. DeSorbo’s own relationship. In November, she and her boyfriend of three years, fellow Bravo personality Craig Conover, officially ended their relationship. Ms. DeSorbo disclosed this news on “Giggly Squad.”
Navigating Breakup and Public Scrutiny
The former couple exchanged pointed remarks about each other on recently aired episodes. Mr. Conover expressed surprise regarding the breakup during a “Southern Charm” reunion, while Ms. DeSorbo, in a conversation with Ciara Miller on “Summer House,” questioned, “Am I dating a secret detractor?” However, Ms. DeSorbo minimized the perceived conflict between them.
“Neither of us acted improperly,” she clarified. “It was amicable. I believe we were both acting maturely, articulating our desires and expectations, and I consider it incredibly empowering to vocalize your feelings and future aspirations in real-time.”
The separation of one of the network’s most popular pairings generated considerable online discussion and conjecture, particularly as it coincided with the impending premieres of new seasons of “Summer House” and Mr. Conover’s program, “Southern Charm,” which centers on young individuals living and working in Charleston, South Carolina.
Every on-camera interaction between the two became subject to intense analysis. In one “Southern Charm” episode, Ms. DeSorbo and Mr. Conover, still together at the time, discussed her increasingly demanding schedule and its conflict with his desire for her to relocate to Charleston and commence a family.
Career Aspirations and Relationship Dynamics
“It gives me the impression that increased success on my part is perceived negatively,” Ms. DeSorbo expresses in the episode. “As if failing to prioritize you above all else equates to guilt.”
The scene presents an awkward viewing experience, particularly considering the subsequent relationship outcome. Mr. Conover, who has mentioned purchasing an engagement ring for Ms. DeSorbo, appears to desire the conventional lifestyle Ms. DeSorbo initially sought to avoid in Albany. However, her determination to pursue her professional aspirations, committing to her diligently developed career, is a noteworthy stance in the often traditionally-gendered landscape of reality TV.
“I am proud of myself for making a difficult choice, despite public disapproval suggesting I was mistaken and would not find another partner,” Ms. DeSorbo stated. She expressed gratitude for the positive responses from numerous female fans, who communicated their appreciation for witnessing a woman on television firmly advocating for her desires. “I am sincerely thankful for the women who supported me and understood my situation,” she affirmed.
Friendship and Future Focus
While her romantic relationship with Mr. Conover has concluded, her bond with Ms. Berner remains strong.
“It is undeniably true that there is no greater support system than your closest friend during challenging periods,” Ms. DeSorbo reflected. “I believe my processing of the breakup was significantly different because I had those preceding months where she allowed me to verbalize every conceivable thought regarding relationships, becoming a wife, and motherhood. Having fully explored those contemplations, once the public became aware, I felt prepared to cope.”
Now embracing single life, Ms. DeSorbo is concentrating on further developing her hard-earned career. “I definitely feel motivated and focused,” she asserted. “I identified a goal, and I am actively pursuing it.”
The shared success she experiences alongside Ms. Berner amplifies her accomplishments. “Achieving career milestones is incredibly thrilling,” Ms. DeSorbo concluded, “but reaching them in conjunction with your best friend elevates the joy to an entirely different level.”